Shepherd Husky vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison

What a beautiful dog the Shepherd Husky is. He is a mix between the Husky and the German Shepherd. Other names for him include Gerberian Shepsky, German Husky and Siberian Shepherd.

The German Shepherd originated in Germany and the Husky is from Siberia. We assume this mixed breed dog was bred in the USA. The true origin of the German Shepherd Husky dog is unclear but both the parent breeds have long histories.

The dog is recognized as a Hybrid by both the Dog Registry of America as well as the American canine hybrid Club.

Originating in the United States of America, the Irish Jack Russell, also known as Short Jack Russells, was bred to bring about a calmer temperament and to also have a dog with shorter legs.

Always a working dog, breeders of the Irish Jack Russell wanted to create a dog with less of a hunting instinct in him and have a dog which would be more companionable.

These Irish Jack Russells look much like your regular Jack Russell but are more of a companion dog than a hunting dog. The Irish Jack Russell doesn’t adhere to any existing Jack Russell breed standard and isn't really recognized at major dog clubs and kennels. The truth of the whole matter is that there are different kinds of Jack Russells and different names given to them to differentiate between the taller Jack Russell and the short legged one. The shorter Jack Russell Terriers are known by many names such as Irish Jack Russell and Shorty Jack Russells.

Solid and strong, the German Shepherd Husky mix is attractive. He is a fairly large dog standing at 51 to 64cm in height and weighing between 20 to 40kg.

They’re powerful dogs these as they have a long history of being working dogs. The eyes of this beautiful dog can be brown, green or blue or a mix of these. The thick double coat protects them from the cold and in the warmer months, he sheds quite a bit.

The coat can be brown, black and tan or it can have creamy shades and be mixed with grey and white too.

Temperament:

The Shepherd Husky is a friendly, amicable dog who wants to please his owner. Training and socialization make him even more well adjusted. He is a dog that will get on well with children in the home as well as other dogs.

He is such an all rounder this dog – loyal, intelligent, social and loving - being great for accompanying you on walks and hikes but being willing to sit with you indoors too.

While he is adaptable and good natured and will happily live with his owner in the city or the countryside, he is better suited to life in the countryside. He also makes a great guard-dog.

Irish Jack Russells are small dogs standing at roughly 18 to 35cm and weighing in the region of 5 to 8kg for both males and females.

He looks much like your regular Jack Russell but he has shorter legs, and where the regular Jack Russell has an essentially white coat with orange-tan patches, the Irish Jack Russell can be solid tan or other color variations such as red, brindle, black and tan.

The coat can be short or fairly long and coarse. The Irish Jack Russell is a sturdy, compact dog with a flat skull, brown eyes and ears which are semi-erect, semi-floppy. He has a bright, alert, intelligent look on his face. The tail is set fairly high and has always been docked but these days it is inclined to be left long, taking away from the dog’s nice compact look.

Temperament:

The Irish Jack Russell is perhaps more placid than the regular Jack Russell and that is why he can adapt to life in the city or in the country. They’re intelligent dogs and therefore easy to train and have socialized.

Even though he is a small dog, training and socialization is important as he is a feisty, stubborn, know-it-all little dog. These are dogs which can become possessive of their owner and they can become quite aggressive when protecting their family. He is a highly trainable dog but it is important to have him trained as he tends to be aggressive with other dogs.

He is busy, active, happy and inquisitive and will require regular exercise to prevent him becoming restless and destructive. He has been a working terrier and he always wants to be busy.

The German Shepherd Husky mix is such an ideal dog for single people, couples and families. This wolf-like breed is intelligent, loving,social and protective – the ideal family dog.

For those looking for an active dog that can be their jogging, walking and camping partner, this dog is for you. He loves to be busy, but he also loves being made a fuss of indoors too.

He has so many excellent qualities and is one dog breed that ticks all the right boxes for being such an all-round splendid pet and companion.

The Irish Jack Russell is a self-confident, energetic dog who will like nothing more than to be involved with everything you’re doing. The busier he is the better, and because he has strong hunting instincts you may find him digging in your garden for rats.

Have him trained and socialized if you want to avoid certain problems with him and remember to exercise him and provide him with the attention he craves.

He is a social dog and will pine away if you just leave him to get by on his own. Make sure that he becomes every bit as part of your family as everyone else and he promises to make you a loyal, devoted companion.

This is such a robust dog that you an scarcely think of him being sickly and yet there are some illnesses that are common to all dogs and which your German Shepherd Husky mix might get as well.

Hip dysplasia is common in German Shepherd dogs as well as arthritis and thyroid dysfunction. Bloat and cancer are other diseases to watch for.

Hip Dysplasia:

Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic disease characterised as a disease of the hip. The malformation can lead to arthritis and pain and ultimately lead to the loss of hip function, crippling your dog.

You will need to get your pet to the vet for treatment to make his life more comfortable.

Your Irish Jack Russell is a dog that doesn’t battle with too many health issues, but nonetheless you still need to watch out for common health problems.

Jack Russell terriers are generally a healthy breed that can live up to 14 years of age, but still every dog is prone to the more common dog problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections and dental disease among others.

If your Irish Jack Russell is in pain, he is lethargic and sick, don’t delay – take him to the vet right away.

◆Brush the coat of your Shepherd Husky twice a week to rid the coat of loose hairs. This dog’s hair sheds quite heavily as the weather warms and he may require brushing more often.

◆When you brush him, check the ears and eyes for infection. The eyes must be bright and clear.

◆Feel for unusual lumps on your pet’s body.

◆Provide your beautiful pet with a comfortable dry place to sleep.

◆Never neglect his exercise needs.

◆Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date to eliminate killer canine diseases.

◆Have your pet spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.

◆Feed your Shepherd Husky the best food there is as he is an energetic, working breed. The commercially manufactured foods can be a good, convenient choice but you need to make sure it is one of the better brands.

Some of the cheaper brands are full of bad ingredients that can make a dog sick.Try and give him some home-made foods that are healthy and nutritious. This food can be added to his dry kibble twice a week.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a tasty healthy choice for your pet. Try and include some raw meat into the diet as well.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

The Irish Jack Russell is an average shedder with his short or longish coat which is easy to groom, requiring a brush once or twice a week. His nails grow quickly too and they can get caught on something and cause him damage. Trim your pet’s nails to prevent this.

Diet:

Feed your Irish Jack Russell good quality dog food each day. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, be certain to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.

He is a small dog, and overfeeding can be just as bad as under-feeding. It’s never a good idea to just go on and on feeding your pet dry or wet kibble day after day. Add in some cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables as a treat and to also provide some variety for him.

Also a little bit of raw meat occasionally can do him the world of good and you’ll see the appreciation in his bright eyes and wagging tail.